Why You Can Trust CNET Beyerdynamic DTX 50 noise-isolating headphones review: Beyerdynamic DTX 50 noise-isolating headphones
Beyerdynamic's DTX 50 headphones feature noise-isolating tips to keep the outside world out of your head, and considering the quality of their bass reproduction, they're a bargain. Our only issue is with the mid-range audio, so you might want to stick to dance music
Getting rid of the poor cans that came with your MP3 player is a very good idea, and you needn't pay a fortune. Not only are the Beyerdynamic DTX 50s good value at around £45 online, they feature a great low response range and noise-isolating tips to keep the outside world at bay.
Beyerdynamic DTX 50 noise-isolating headphones
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
Strengths
Included in the box is a packet of silicone tips of varying sizes, to help ease the 'phones deep into your ear canal, providing a very comfortable fit. Choosing a snug-fitting tip is crucial to getting optimum performance from the noise-isolating technology.
The 1.2m cable is perfect for on-the-go music use, and has a standard 3.5mm stereo jack to connect to your portable audio player.
As for sound quality, it's the bass reproduction that swipes the gold medal for the DXT 50s. The raw power contained within these earphones give a pair that are twice the price a run for their money. Low-end tones are thick, warm and outrageously deep, which is crucial for the true reproduction of dance, metal and live music.
We initially tested this pair with Yeah Yeah by Bodyrox and were immediately blown away by the bass performance, especially at higher volume levels. The kick-drum pounds into the ears like the god of thunder beating the floor during a tantrum, and bass riffs are powerful and enormously well driven. Pendulum's astoundingly bass-heavy track Slam sounds incredible, with bass lines feeling almost as powerful as they feel on the club floor.
Tracks that are driven less by bass and more by melody and vocals, such as the club favourite Something About You by Jamelia, sound warm and full but, as we'll see shortly, lack some definition in the mid-ranges.
Classical tracks are reproduced incredibly well through the DXT 50s, with male operatics a particularly pleasurable experience at higher volumes.
Weaknesses
Sadly, every silver lining has a cloud beneath it. In the case of the DTX 50s, it's the mid-ranges that suffer. Mid-range tones lack the definition needed for a truly perfect reproduction of all musical styles. We didn't feel there was enough separation between certain instruments, and the mid-ranges sounded a little too blended together for our liking.
Also, if you've got immaculate ears then you may not notice it, but the silicone tips can become dirty quite quickly. Although they're easy to slip off the headphones and clean, it's not quite as convenient as standard in-ear 'phones, which can be cleaned very easily.
Conclusion
The Beyerdynamic DXT 50s reproduce certain types of recording very well indeed. If you're a fan of dance, drum 'n bass, hip-hop or R'n'B, and don't want to break the £50 mark, definitely give this set of headphones a listen to.
Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Nick Hide
